Grant Shapps offers ‘Portas-Plus’ plan to revive ailing high streets

Towns across the country have got their applications in ahead of today’s deadline in the hope of becoming Portas Pilots. Ministers revealed the unexpectedly high level of interest whilst announcing that the Government is accepting virtually all the recommendations put forward by Mary Portas last December.

The Government today is for the first time issuing its formal response to the Portas High Street Review. Grant Shapps confirmed Ministers are accepting the vast majority of Mary’s recommendations – but that they intend to go further with a raft of new incentives, funding schemes and bureaucracy-busting measures, all in a bid to rejuvenate the country’s rundown high streets.

In what Mr Shapps referred to as a ‘Portas-Plus’ response, a new package of help has been drawn up including:

A multi-million pound High Street Innovation Fund – kick started by £10 million of taxpayers money focussed on bringing empty shops back into use – which, if supplemented by both councils and landlords, could see £30 million going to support new business start-ups whilst bringing empty High Street properties back into use;

A £1 million Future High Street X-Fund, which will be awarded in a year’s time to the locations which deliver the most creative and effective schemes to revitalise their high streets;

A National Markets Day, launching a National Markets Fortnight, to celebrate the role markets can play, help aspiring entrepreneurs try out their business ideas, and encourage more visitors to town centres;

A £500,000 fund for Business Improvement Districts, to help Town Centres access loans for their set-up costs; and

Launching a further round of Portas Pilots, to trial some of Mary’s recommendations and come up with new ideas to breathe life into underused high streets. This is in response to the massive interest from hundreds of locations across the country, sparked by the competition for the first wave of 12 pilots launched last month.

Grant Shapps said:

“Today, I’m accepting virtually all of the recommendations from Mary Portas’s review – but I’m also going that one step further, offering a ‘Portas-Plus’ deal, with a range of measures designed to help local people turn their high streets into the beating hearts of their communities once again.

“Mary Portas’s review made crystal clear the stark challenge our high streets face. With Internet shopping and out-of-town centres here to stay, they must offer something new if they are to entice visitors back.

“Her report has provided the catalyst for change that many towns have been craving. I now want to see people coming together to form their own town teams and turning their creative ideas into reality to ensure their high streets thrive long into the future.”

Martin Blackwell, chief executive at the Association of Town Centre Management, said:

“We all recognise that the high street in 10 or even five years will be radically different to that we see today. This Government’s approach, shown in the response to Mary’s report, is giving local communities the opportunity to shape the future High Street they want to see in their town.”

Responding to the first recommendation in the review, Mr Shapps said he wanted to see hundreds of Town Teams – made up of key players in the local area including the council, local landlords, business owners and local MPs – being formed and mobilised across the country to drive forward the necessary change.

He encouraged these Town Teams to consider:

How their high streets can become the “beating heart of the community”, offering more than just retail with entertainment venues and leisure facilities, as well as housing and local public services;

How they can work with councils to use the forthcoming new powers to offer local business rate discounts, and to ensure businesses are aware of the option to spread the payment of the retail price index increase in business rates bills over three years, giving them the flexibility to manage their bills and help their cash- flow. This is in addition to Small Business Rate Relief, which in England has been doubled for two years, from 1 October 2010 to 30 September 2012;

How they could stimulate a vibrant evening economy by encouraging local shops to open later, offering a service to people as they come home from work, instead of people resorting to online shopping; and

How they could make more imaginative and exciting use of public spaces and remove street clutter to make town centres more pleasant for visitors.

And confirming the Government was accepting a number of other key recommendations to cut red tape and entice motorists to the town centre, Mr Shapps gave a commitment to:

Help councils revoke unnecessary and archaic byelaws through a new streamlined process – enabling outdated rules hindering efforts to get new markets and businesses up and running to be swiftly scrapped;

Reform current planning rules to allow the conversion of space above shops to two flats, rather than the current limit of one; and

Consult on abolishing centrally-set minimum parking charges, to give councils the flexibility to levy lower parking penalty notices if they choose. The Government will also take steps to ensure greater transparency on parking charges to introduce greater competition between town centres.

3. The “Love Your Local Market” event will take place on June 23 2012, designed to encourage more people to visit the high street and see what is on offer. This event, run by the National Association of British Market Authorities with support from the rest of the markets sector, including the Markets Alliance and the National Markets Traders Federation, will also give aspiring entrepreneurs the offer of a “table for a tenner”, giving them the opportunity to try out their own business ideas.

4. Small business rate relief in England has been doubled for two years, from 1 October 2010 to 30 September 2012. Eligible businesses occupying property with a rateable value of up to £6,000 pay no rates for that period, with tapering relief up to a rateable value to £12,000. To make sure no small firm loses out the Localism Act has simplified the process for claiming the tax break to encourage take up by small businesses. More information is available here: www.communities.gov.uk/news/newsroom/1972672.

5. In addition businesses will be able to defer payment of 3.2 per cent of their 2012-13 rates bills until 2013-14 and 2014-15. This will give businesses flexibility to manage their rates bills in the current economic climate, help their cashflow, and give them time to adjust to the impact of inflation. This means someone with a bill of a £10,000 could defer £320. More information is available here: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/bril32012.

Man Dressed As Woman Exposes Himself In Worcester

Police are appealing for witnesses and potential victims to come forward in relation to a man dressed in women’s clothing exposing himself in Worcester.

Police have received a number of reports in March of a man wearing a long black wig and women’s clothes – often a black mackintosh or a denim skirt – exposing himself to other men in Tolladine, particularly in Holly Mount Road.

The incidents have usually taken place in the early hours of the morning: on one occasion at 4.50am on Wednesday 7 March, he exposed himself to a man in Holly Mount Road and then chased after him towards Tunnel Hill.

A man in his 20s was arrested yesterday in relation to this incident and released on police bail with conditions that include a night curfew.

Inspector Janet Heritage, who leads local policing in Worcester, said: “I would like to hear from anyone who has seen or been the focus of attention from this man.

“Local men who have been targeted may not have taken the incident seriously, but some of his victims have felt intimidated, especially in the very early hours, and we are concerned that his offending may become more serious.

“Please contact West Mercia Police if you have seen or experienced anything.”

Inspector Heritage can be contacted via the non-emergency police number 101 or information can be passed on anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote the reference number 278S 08/03/12.

The EDL have issued a statement regarding the cancelled Redditch Demonstration

The EDL statement in full

Easter is rapidly approaching and many of you will be eager to attend the demonstration in Redditch on Saturday 7th of April.

The reason Redditch had been chosen as a venue for a protest is that there is evidence of possible Islamic grooming.

The local press initially publicised it but withdrew the articles when people started to comment.

The problem of Islamic grooming is one that people are finally waking up to.

People are at last beginning to understand that there is a pattern behind this grooming but there are still people who cling to the belief that it’s not happening or that a certain section of the community is behind it, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

That is why the English Defence League was to be in Redditch on that Saturday.

Unfortunately, we have to postpone the demonstration. Many of you will wonder why this has happened and to quell any possible wild rumours we’ve decided to immediately explain exactly why the plug has been pulled on the demo.

It appears that there is to be a multi-Christian faith event on the same day. Pastor Jim Hidderley, spokesperson for this event, has spoken with our regional organisers and requested that we postpone our demonstration.

Given that the Easter period is of such significance to Christians, we have agreed. It is this kind of co-operation between the EDL and local communities that goes unreported by the mainstream media.

We do not intend to cause division or disharmony within local communities, but only to raise awareness about a problem that exists right across the country.

A problem that cuts across race, culture and communities. It hurts the very thing that Islam says it stands for – families. We won’t stop highlighting the damaging effects that Islam is having on communities around the country and we will not cease to highlight the numerous cases of Muslim men grooming non-Muslim girls.

We wish the Christian community of Redditch well for their day on Saturday 7th, and we wish all of Redditch a happy Easter holiday.

Soldiers are poised to take control at the pumps as part of contingency plans for a strike.

Diana Holland, Unite Assistant General Secretary, said: “These votes send a clear message throughout the industry and should prompt all the major companies to get around the table to establish minimum standards.

“This is not about pay – this is about ensuring that high safety and training standards are maintained, so that our communities are safe.

“It is about a simple measure, the creation of an industry-wide bargaining forum. It is about bringing fairness and stability back to an essential national industry.”

A Hoyer spokesperson said: “We are dismayed at the outcome of the Unite ballot for industrial action involving 650 drivers on our fuels contracts.

“Particularly as only 215 drivers out of the 650 voted for strike action and we therefore believe that this action is being driven by a small disaffected group of employees.

“Hoyer has some of the best health, safety and training standards in the petroleum distribution sector.

“This has resulted in a health and safety record of which Hoyer is proud. In our history of delivering petroleum products for large oil companies, Hoyer has not had a major accident or serious injury to a member of our team.”

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey said the ballot result was “disappointing”: “The government is strongly of the view that strike action is wrong and unnecessary. The union should be getting round the negotiating table, not planning to disrupt the lives of millions of people across Britain.

“This is an industrial dispute and we strongly urge Unite to resolve it by getting back to the negotiating table, not by threatening the nation with economic and social disruption.

“Our economy is just getting back on its feet and any action that makes that harder is totally unjustified.

“With the London 2012 Olympics approaching, it is unacceptable and selfish to behave in this manner and jeopardise our international reputation.

“Unite has committed to ensuring that essential services are not disrupted. We trust it will live up to this commitment and not put anyone in harm’s way.

“The government stands ready to take whatever action we can to minimise the impact of any strike. If we have to, we will use emergency powers to make sure supplies for emergency services are prioritised and we will work to ensure trained military personnel are available to drive oil tankers. The Police will be on hand to ensure that strike action does not intimidate or prevent drivers that wish to work from doing so.

“While their main concerns are pay and conditions, which are matters for their employers, they have also raised health and safety. We take health and safety very seriously and will be looking carefully at what Unite is saying. Ensuring people are safe at work is a priority for us and we are committed to resolving any issues around this.

“But we are clear – first and foremost – the parties must get back around the table. There is no justification for this. It’s the wrong action at the wrong time.”

Detectives believe they have smashed a child trafficking gang preying on runaways as young as 11 for Britain’s sex trade.

Thirteen men were arrested in Oxford by police investigating claims 24 vulnerable girls under 16 were groomed for rape.

Officers suspect gang members targeted children in care or living rough and transported them around Britain over a six-year period.

Amid fears more children may be involved, patrols of officers took to the streets of the university city to hand out public awareness leaflets.

Thames Valley Police said nine men – aged between 21 and 37 – remain in custody and are being quizzed over a string of offences including causing the prostitution of females under the age of 18, administrating drugs for the purpose of rape, trafficking, grooming and rape. Four men, aged 23, 31, 34 and 37, were released on bail until April 19.

Police became aware of the allegations after a number of girls were reported missing. More than 100 officers took part in raids as the force executed 14 warrants across the city as part of an operation named Bullfinch.

Police were not willing to comment on the nationalities of any of the suspects but sources said many of the offences centred in or around the Oxford area.

Many of the alleged victims were said to have been “known” to children’s services. Mr Mason, speaking later at the force’s city headquarters, said the inquiry was still at an early stage.

Much of Thursday’s activity was centred near St Aldates police station in central Oxford. More than 40 uniformed officers and community support officers were handing out A5 flyers about the operation.

Police chiefs also posted a video on YouTube to reassure community members and urge any potential victims to come forward.

Oxford Child exploitation investigation – update

Thames Valley Police together with Thames Valley and Chiltern CPS can confirm that 6 men have been charged tonight (23/3) in connection with Operation Bullfinch, an investigation into child exploitation in Oxford.

The men have been remanded in custody and will attend Magistrates’ court tomorrow (24/3).

A 26 year-old man has been charged with ten counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

A 30 year-old man has been charged with one count of conspiring to rape a child, and one count of arranging prostitution of a child, and one count of trafficking.

A 31 year-old man has been charged with three counts of rape and one count of conspiring to rape a child, and three counts of arranging the prostitution of a child, one count of making a threat to kill, and one count of trafficking.

A 37 year-old man has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to rape a child and one count of supplying a class A controlled drug to a child.

A 32 year-old man has been charged with one count of rape.

A 26 year-old man has been charged with four counts of rape and two counts of arranging the prostitution of a child, and one count of making a threat to kill.

Three other men who were arrested in connection with the investigation have been released on police bail until 12th April.

Four other men were released on police bail pending further enquiries yesterday (22/3). The men, who are aged 23, 31, 34, and 37, were bailed to return to a police station on the 19th April.

The joint investigation, being carried out by Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire County Council’s Children, Education and Families Department, is aimed at rescuing potential victims and securing convictions of suspects believed to be responsible for these crimes.

TWO people have died and many others were hurt in a crash involving a coach and a lorry on the M5 in the West Midlands.

The motorway is shut after the collision southbound close to Frankley services between junctions 3 and 4.

Police confirmed two fatalities and two people seriously hurt. The other injured people were described as “walking wounded”.

The crash happened shortly after 06:00 GMT. An eyewitness told the BBC the lorry had hit the coach from behind.

There were foggy conditions in the area and the crash happened on a section of the motorway where roadworks are being carried out.

West Midlands Ambulance Service earlier tweeted: “A large number of resources have been sent to the scene of the incident, including ambulances, rapid response vehicles, the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team, BASICS Doctors and ambulance officers.

“A number of patients are currently being conveyed to various hospitals across the area.

“Whilst the majority of patients appear to be walking wounded there are a small number with potentially serious injuries.”

West Midlands Police advised drivers to travel on the M6 and M42 to avoid the M5

Police update

Police called at approximately 6:24 am this morning (Saturday 24 March) via a 999 call to reports of a serious road traffic collision on the motorway.

Police in attendance. This is a serious road traffic collision between a coach and a lorry on the M5 on junction three of the motorway.

There is one confirmed fatality, two people are seriously injured and a number of people are walking wounded.

The confirmed fatality is from the coach, there is one serious injury from the coach and a number of passengers on the coach sustained non life threatening injuries and are receiving medical attention. The driver of the lorry is in a serious condition.

None of the injured are children.

Junctions three to four on the M5 is closed in both directions and will remain closed for most of the day.

The police investigation in the very early stages and any witnesses asked to call 101.

M5 crash claims second victim

THE DRIVER of a lorry that crashed into the rear of a stationary coach in the early hours of yesterday morning (Saturday 24 March) has died.

The death brings the total fatalities from the collision to two.

The man who died had been driving from Manchester to Devon in a white heavy articulated Volvo lorry when he struck the single decker bus near to junction three of the M5.

The man, who is not being named at this time, died in hospital just after 9pm last night. He was 65 and from Somerset. His family had travelled from their home in the southwest to attend hospital.

A third man remains in a critical condition in hospital. He was a passenger on the bus.

Police were alerted to the crash at 6.24am when a member of the public dialled 999.

A 35-year-old Smethwick man who had been travelling on the bus to his job as a fruit picker in Evesham, Worcestershire, died at the scene.

A lengthy investigation into the cause of the collision is now underway and is likely to take some time.

The 49-year-old Birmingham driver of the bus was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was later released on police bail.

The road was closed for around eight hours while collision investigators examined the scene as part of their inquiries.

“Our thoughts remain with the friends and family of those who have died during this difficult time. ”

Specialist family liaison officers have been appointed and are supporting both families.

They will provide a single point of contact between the families of the dead men and investigators, explaining the complex process which now follows as the investigation seeks to establish exactly what caused the collision.

The dedicated hotline for concerned relatives which opened in the immediate aftermath of the incident has now closed.

Call handlers – police staff members who volunteer to assist in the event of a major incident – responded to 11 calls from people concerned about relatives who had been travelling on the motorway at the time of the collision.

None of these people reported were casualties and all later turned up safe and well.

Various embassy officials also called the hotline to pledge their support should any of their nationals be involved.

Indecent Exposures In Redditch and Teford

Police are appealing for help to trace a man who indecently exposed himself to an 11-year-old girl in Redditch.

It happened at about 2.50pm on Sunday, 11 March, in Upperfield Close in the Church Hill area of the town.

The girl was walking home from Upperfield Park when she spotted a man at the end of the path. As she approached him he exposed himself. She quickly ran home very upset by the incident.

The man is white, thought to be in his 50s, about 5ft 9ins in height and of medium build. He was clean shaven and has little or no hair on the top of his head, but has bushy grey hair round back and sides. He was wearing a brown jacket which came just below the waist, blue jeans and trainers.

PC Martyn Dudley said: “The girl said she remembers seeing the man walking around the park and surrounding area before the incident. As the weather was warm on Sunday it is likely that the park was busy and someone may recognise the man from the description.

“We would therefore like to hear from anyone who may have seen this man in the area or thinks they know who he is.”

Man Indecently Exposes Himself To Two Young Girls in Telford

Police are eager to trace witnesses after a man indecently exposed himself to two young girls as they made their way to Wellington swimming baths.

The incident happened as the girls – aged 12 and 13 – were walking along Alexandra Road in Wellington at around 5.15pm yesterday.(15 March)

As the girls walked along the road, they noticed a man walking towards them on the other side of the road.

As he approached them he shouted over to them and indecently exposed himself.

The girls, who were extremely shocked and upset by the incident, ran away and told an adult. Police were called.

Police searched the area but the offender had fled.

He is described as aged in his 40’s, white with dark stubble on his face. He was around 5ft 7ins to 5ft 10ins and was wearing navy blue jogging bottoms and a navy blue hooded top with the hood up and a black leather jacket.

A Telford Police spokeswoman said: “The girls were going swimming but as they walking to the baths a man indecently exposed himself to them, causing them to be extremely alarmed and upset.

“If you were in the area at the time and saw the suspect or know who he is then we would really like to hear from you.”

Telford Police can be called on 101 or information can be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

A former Liberal Democrat council leader admitted on Friday committing perjury following a police investigation into electoral fraud allegations.

Ex-Liberal Democrat leader of Liverpool City Council Warren Bradley pleaded guilty to one count of perjury at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court and was ordered by District Judge Miriam Shelvey to pay a £1,000 fine, £75 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

It follows a 10-month police investigation into how his son, Daniel, came to be nominated to stand in last year’s local elections.

Bradley signed Daniel’s nomination form to stand in the May 5 contest as a witness although his son was not present and had not yet signed the form agreeing to put himself forward as a candidate.

The 19-year-old subsequently claimed that his signature was a “fake” and that he did not want to stand.

Section 5 of the Perjury Act forbids any person from making a false statutory declaration. The serving firefighter and councillor for Liverpool’s Wavertree ward today admitted signing the consent of nomination form as a witness when his son was not present.

It also emerged today that Bradley’s mother, Pam, had been cautioned by police for forging Daniel’s signature.

But Bradley’s lawyer, James Murray, denied that his client’s teenage son had been put forward as a candidate without his knowledge and claimed that Daniel’s statement to police came in the midst of an “acrimonious divorce” between Bradley and his wife, Pauline.

Simon Orme, for the prosecution, told the court that in March last year Pauline Bradley contacted an electoral officer and asked him to inspect the nomination papers as her son “knew nothing” about them.

Local newspapers the Daily Post and the Liverpool Echo subsequently ran stories on the matter and this was later followed by a police investigation.

Orme said Daniel told police “I can confirm I did not agree to be a candidate, I am not prepared to lie for anybody”, as he was interested in pursuing a career in the Royal Air Force rather than politics. James Murray, mitigating, said his client had already made a “full and frank admission” to signing the nomination form without his son being present, which he described as the “essential mischief” in the case.

But he claimed Daniel had agreed to put himself forward as a Liberal Democrat candidate and Bradley was only trying to “push things along” by “cutting corners”.

Murray also claimed that Daniel had asked his grandmother Pam, a former Lib Dem councillor herself, to forge his signature on the nomination form because he was busy at work. He said Bradley’s soon-to-be ex-wife Pauline had “pressured” Daniel when she found out her son was going to be a candidate. “What the defence feel is that Pauline Bradley threw a hissy fit about her son supporting his dad.

Hell hath no fury as a woman in the midst of a divorce,” he said. “This is tragic for Bradley because he loves his son.

Another reason it is a tragedy is that he lost the leadership of his party.” District Judge Shelvey said she had seen “little remorse” from Bradley, who shook his head as he was sentenced.

She said: “You have chosen to lay the blame on others rather than accept you were in the wrong or just apologise and simply say you were sorry.

” The former leader of the Lib Dem group at Liverpool City Council resigned on the day the allegations emerged, as his party suspended him and launched an inquiry into the claims.

A Lib Dem spokesman confirmed that Bradley had been “permanently excluded” from the party after he broke party rules by declaring that he would seek re-election in May as an independent candidate.

Bradley’s relationship with the party had been strained before the allegations.

In a leaked message to Nick Clegg before the local elections, he had urged his party leader to act before “we disappear into the annals of history”.

He said Lib Dem councillors were set to lose seats in local elections on May 5 and the coalition was to blame.

He went on to write: “We have to sever ties from the coalition. If we fail to do this, we have only our parliamentarians to blame.”

But in response to the comments, Clegg said: “I think Warren Bradley is one voice, but I think he is wrong.” Bradley refused to comment on whether he will be standing for re-election in the local elections next May

Information falling within the following categories is normally regarded as being highly classified. It is requested that such information, unless it has been the subject of an official announcement or has been widely disclosed or discussed, should not be published without first seeking advice:
(a) specific covert operations, sources and methods of the Security Service, SIS and GCHQ, Defence Intelligence Units, Special Forces and those involved with them, the application of those methods*, including the interception of communications, and their targets; the same applies to those engaged on counter-terrorist operations;
(b) the identities, whereabouts and tasks of people who are or have been employed by these services or engaged on such work, including details of their families and home addresses, and any other information, including photographs, which could assist terrorist or other hostile organisations to identify a target;
(c) addresses and telephone numbers used by these services, except those now made public

Identified staff from the intelligence and security services, others engaged on sensitive counter-terrorist operations, including the Special Forces, and those who are likely targets for attack are at real risk from terrorists. Security and intelligence operations contacts and techniques are easily compromised, and therefore need to be pursued in conditions of secrecy. Publicity about an operation which is in train finishes it. Publicity given even to an operation which has been completed, whether successfully or not, may well deny the opportunity for further exploitation of a capability, which may be unique against other hostile and illegal activity. The disclosure of identities can prejudice past, present and future operations. Even inaccurate speculation about the source of information on a given issue can put intelligence operations (and, in the worst cases, lives at risk and/or lead to the loss of information which is important in the interests of national security. Material which has been the subject of an official announcement is not covered by this notice.

The DA-Notices are intended to provide to national and provincial newspaper editors, to periodicals editors, to radio and television organisations and to relevant book publishers, general guidance on those areas of national security which the Government considers it has a duty to protect. The Notices have no legal standing and advice offered within their framework may be accepted or rejected in whole or in part.

Should it be found necessary to issue additional DA-Notice guidance on a specific matter the Government department concerned will agree a draft of the proposed Notice with the Secretary who, from his experience, can advise upon the form and content which are likely to make it acceptable to the Press and Broadcasting members. The Secretary will then seek the agreement of both sides of the DPBAC to the draft and, if it is obtained, issue the text as a DA-Notice.

.DUNBLANE SHOOTINGS COVER UP

Dunblane is an example where a D NOTICE has been placed to stop high profile MP’s and Ministers being named in the UK press as being involved in Peadophilia.

Although some websites are naming them most press articles have been removed.